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Put the Power of Video Surveillance to Work for You

Video surveillance is one of the fastest growing methods of providing facility security there is. The reason for that is easily understood when you consider the old adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words” (http://bit.ly/1LHUxoR). Although the actual saying pertains to words and ideas, we can easily transfer a similar meaning to the 21st Century issue at hand–the relevance of video surveillance.

Originally called Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), commercial, government, and residential security needs have grown considerably since the early days of electronic security. Although electronic intrusion detection and access control are two important elements in the fight against crime, CCTV is still the fastest growing segment within the security market.

According to Security Sales & Integration Magazine, a publication for the professionals who work in security, conducted a survey within these segments and the mag discovered that 23 percent of the respondents reported video surveillance as their largest money maker. Intrusion was next (21 percent) along with access control and fire alarms (13 percent each), 10 percent integrated security systems, and home automation (4 percent). Sixteen percent came from miscellaneous security installations, such as video intercoms, mechanical locks, and such.

What ESC Can Do For You

Here’s what ESC can do for you–we can help you detect bad guys doing bad things, and we can document those bad boys doing those bad things so when you or a law enforcement officer goes to court, the judge will clearly see the ill deed as it took place at the time. With a quality video in hand, there’s an increased chance of a conviction.

ESC cameras can detect people doing things they hadn’t ought to do, too. We can alert you when our camera sees something out of the ordinary happen, like someone leaves a backpack sitting in a hallway or outside your facility longer than a specified period of time. Our camera systems also can alert your security guards when someone is walking in the wrong direction, as might happen when a terrorist seeks to gain access to a jetway.

ESC also can set up a camera system that will provide a proverbial “line in the sand” where any movement over or within those specified areas will result in an alert. This alert can be emailed, texted, or made to sound an alarm in the vicinity of the movement. A good example of this might be a chain link fence that protects your property. We can actually alert you if someone climbs that fence or cuts through it. We can set up a kill zone where any movement within it also will result in an immediate alert.

The number of possible scenarios is nearly unlimited and quite possibly limited only by one’s own mind.

Some manufacturers of sophisticated deep-learning-powered video systems also maintain that they can detect people by their face or other characteristics. In fact, facial recognition promises to be a huge security asset in the years to come while others say that tomorrow is happening now.

Through the use of artificial intelligence (AI), these video platforms may actually one day replace all other forms of security! Video surveillance also can even be used to detect many types of **

Here’s the Cameras That ESC Uses

Cameras usually come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The most economical are commonly known as “bullet cameras (see picture). Many of these come with IR Illuminators built into them so they light up the scene when it’s dark. Some are able to see clearly in the dark at 10 feet while others at 30 and still others at 60, 100, etc.

Full body cameras also are great but they are generally made for indoor use where bullets can be either one and often designed for both indoors and outdoors. Full body cameras also are more vulnerable in general because they rely on a camera mount where the cables are easily gotten to, cut, unplugged, etc. This type of camera also does not usually sport any kind of night vision capability, unless it’s added through a separate IR illuminator (see picture). This will add considerably to the overall cost of a camera system.

Full body cameras are probably the most flexible because there’s a host of lenses that can be installed to meet a myriad of applications–from indoor, relatively inexpensive lenses to that out outdoor models that automatically regulate the amount of light they allow into the camera over the course of a full day.

The most popular among many clients is that of the domed camera. There is no doubt that this is by far the most used camera in ESC’s security arsonal. Domed cameras come in many shapes and sizes with all kinds of features and benefits.

In our next blog post we’ll cover the various kinds of recording options, such as DVR’s, NVR’s, and others. We’ll talk about how each of them works and how ESC can put them to work for you.We’ll also look at some of the more popular Video Management Software (VMS) solutions there are on the market.

If you believe you have a need for video surveillance, ESC can help fill in all the details. Give us a call at 614-754-1393 and we’ll be happy to discuss your situation with you. If your facility resides in Ohio, we may also be able to visit with you to review your application. Send us a message using the form below, call 614-754-1393, or email ESC@Tpromo.Com.